Province Supporting the Infrastructure Needs of Small Communities

Delivering on its Economic Plan to Build Ontario Up by Investing in Infrastructure

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Ontario is providing small, rural and northern municipalities with stable, annual funding to build and repair critical infrastructure and help to create jobs across the province.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, were in St. Thomas to announce that the new Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund will provide $100 million per year in funding for critical road, bridge, water and wastewater projects.

Half of the funding for the initiative will be allocated annually using a fair and transparent formula, which recognizes that municipalities have different infrastructure and fiscal needs. The remaining $50 million will flow through an application-based process, allowing municipalities to continue partnering with the province to invest in critical infrastructure projects that will create jobs and support growth.

The Premier also announced that Ontario municipalities can now propose infrastructure projects to be considered for support through the Small Communities Fund. Through this fund, Ontario and the federal government will each provide $272 million to support projects in municipalities with populations less than 100,000.

The new Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund is part of the government's comprehensive plan for a strong Ontario that builds people's talents and skills, builds a more dynamic business environment, builds new infrastructure and builds a more secure retirement for Ontarians.